Egypt Daily News – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, where 2.1 million people are now facing “a second killer” alongside bombs and bullets: deadly hunger.
At a press conference in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus painted a grim picture of life under siege in Gaza, stating that the enclave’s population is now experiencing a sharp rise in malnutrition-related deaths, especially among children.
“We are witnessing a deadly surge in deaths due to hunger,” said Dr. Tedros. “Gaza’s 2.1 million people are not just besieged by war — they are being starved.”
A Malnutrition Emergency
Since July 17, all treatment centers for severe acute malnutrition have reportedly reached capacity and are suffering from critical shortages of emergency nutrition supplies. WHO documented 21 deaths of children under five directly linked to malnutrition in 2025 alone.
Rates of global acute malnutrition now exceed 10%, and over 20% of pregnant and breastfeeding women screened are suffering from malnutrition, often in its most severe forms.
Gaza’s food crisis has been exacerbated by the near-total collapse of humanitarian supply lines. Between early March and mid-May 2025, no food aid entered Gaza a staggering 80-day blockade that WHO described as a full-scale humanitarian and commercial siege.
Though some food deliveries have resumed since, Dr. Tedros warned they are “sporadic and drastically insufficient to sustain life.” Parents now report children crying themselves to sleep from hunger.
“Food distribution sites have become flashpoints of violence,” he said. “According to health authorities, 1,026 people were killed between May 27 and July 21 while trying to obtain food at these sites.”
Water, Medicine, and Shelter: All in Crisis
The food shortage is only one part of the deepening crisis. A devastating 95% of households in Gaza suffer from severe water shortages, falling far below the minimum daily requirements for drinking, cooking, or hygiene.
The situation in Gaza’s health system is equally grim. Roughly 90% of Gaza’s land is now either under evacuation orders or designated as military zones by the Israeli army. Hospitals once sanctuaries have become targets, frequently attacked or rendered inoperable due to fuel shortages, medical supply depletion, and unsafe access.
Even WHO’s own teams are not safe. On Monday, WHO staff came under direct gunfire in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Their residential compound was raided by Israeli forces, resulting in a harrowing ordeal.
“Our staff including children were forced to evacuate on foot through an active conflict zone. Male employees were handcuffed, stripped, and interrogated. One colleague remains in detention. We demand his immediate release,” Dr. Tedros stated.
In total, 32 WHO employees and family members including women and children had to be evacuated to the WHO’s emergency office near the conflict zone. Meanwhile, the agency’s main warehouse, stocked with life-saving medicine and equipment, suffered significant damage.
A Crippled Humanitarian Response
WHO emphasized that the operational presence of the UN’s leading health agency is now severely compromised, making it nearly impossible to support what remains of Gaza’s collapsed healthcare system. Despite the risks, Dr. Tedros affirmed that the WHO and other UN agencies remain in Gaza and are committed to staying.
“UN agencies must be protected while working in conflict zones. We urge immediate and sustained protection for UN personnel, civilians, and healthcare services. Unhindered humanitarian access is not optional — it is essential.”
Echoes in Syria, Warnings for the Future
Turning briefly to Syria, Dr. Tedros said the situation in southern Suweida is also deteriorating. The region is facing “severely restricted access,” with the main hospital overwhelmed and critically short on staff, electricity, and supplies.
“We are verifying reports of attacks on healthcare in Syria as well,” he said. “Let me be clear: healthcare must never be a target. It must always be protected.”
Clarifying WHO’s Role and COVID-Era Misconceptions
In response to growing misinformation regarding WHO’s authority, Dr. Tedros addressed claims related to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the Pandemic Agreement currently under negotiation.
“Let me be crystal clear: WHO does not and cannot impose lockdowns, vaccine mandates, or travel restrictions on any country. These decisions are made solely by national governments.”
He reaffirmed that WHO provides evidence-based recommendations, not directives, and that the proposed agreements including the pandemic treaty, are negotiated and adopted exclusively by member states.
A Widening Immunization Gap
Shifting to global health, Dr. Tedros shared findings from a joint WHO-UNICEF report on immunization coverage worldwide. Although modest progress has been made, 14.3 million children still missed their first dose of any vaccine in 2024, with millions more only partially vaccinated.
The consequences are stark: 60 countries experienced major measles outbreaks in 2024, nearly double the number from two years prior. Over 30 million children failed to receive the full course of measles vaccinations.
Children living in conflict zones or humanitarian crises are at highest risk of being left unprotected.
“Vaccines have saved millions of lives, yet access remains deeply unequal. And in many places, vaccine hesitancy adds another layer of danger.”
A Call to Conscience and Action
Dr. Tedros concluded with an appeal to the global community to uphold the sanctity of healthcare and the rights of civilians in war zones.
“Health must be protected always. And safe, sustained humanitarian access to places like Gaza and Syria is not only urgent, it is a moral imperative.”
